Red Pepper Quilts on Etsy

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

After several warm and humid days in Melbourne, the black storm clouds rolled in yesterday evening. On the edge of the storm front, we consider ourselves lucky to have escaped unscathed for the storm's fury. However, I blame the unsettled weather for my next project. As the rain came down, a sewing frenzy was unleashed.

It started with cutting strips of fabric without a ruler. Wonkiness was the aim! All a little on the wild side for my conservative self. But I allowed myself to work uninhibited and without plan, using techniques that I've not previously tried.

There was a small light bulb moment when I realized that piecing a wonky patch was easy when working with wonky strips of fabric! There is no other outcome. It worked, I can sew wonky!

As you can see I have used a combination of orange/white striped fabric and black/white striped fabrics, alternated with a white solid fabric. A splash of red has been added at random for interest, as well as a patch of solid orange fabric where the strips of fabric were cut too short.

I also had fun quilting this mini quilt. Lines were stitched either vertically or horizontally in various section of the mini quilt. I also tried my hand at some curved quilting lines (with walking foot). Curved quilting lines require steady stitching together with a steady movement which was not difficult to achieve on a small quilt.

It's been a while since I've sat and sewn with such intensity and stayed up way too late. Today, I have added the binding, and have come down from my sewing high.

Ah Rita - you never cease to amaze me. Today I was staring so hard at the little play quilt you send Leo DESPERATE to find some wonk somewhere and there was NONE! And now I see this work of wonk and it's so stupendous! Is there anything you can't do lady? ;)

Terrific. Ditto everyone's comment (that's the disadvantage when commenting a bit late--my choicest compliments have already been delivered). What I enjoy about this is 1) it shows another side of your vast talent for quilts and 2) a brilliant use of striped fabric. Usually that is so pristine and orderly, but you've given it new life. I love thinking about this use of striped fabric alongside the quilt that Kathy from MO just showed. Both of your blogs are such fruitful places for visual designs and beautiful quilts.

Way to try something new!!! It's hard to do wonky actually, but especially when your style is to make things very square and precise - I try occasionally and it's fun, but I soon return to my measuring ways (not sure why - perhaps it's actually easier?). Way to bust out and beat the storm with a fun mini quilt. I just love it! Can't wait to see what comes next....